Conceptual data modeling is an important activity in database design. However, it is difficult for novice learners to master its skills. In the conceptual data modeling, learners are required to detect and correct errors of their artifacts by themselves because modeling tools do not assist these activities. We call such activities self checking, which is also an important process. However, the previous research did not focus on it and/or the data collection of self checks. The data collection of self checks is difficult because self checking is an internal activity and self checks are not usually expressed. Therefore, we developed a method to help learners express their self checks by reflecting on their artifact making processes. In addition, we developed a system, KIfU3, which implements this method. We conducted an evaluation experiment and showed the effectiveness of the method. From the experimental results, we found out that (1) the novice learners conduct self checks during their conceptual data modeling tasks; (2) it is difficult for them to detect errors in their artifacts; (3) they cannot necessarily correct the errors even if they could identify them; and (4) there is no relationship between the numbers of self checks by the learners and the quality of their artifacts.

There are the following three targets to be achieved in a software project from the three viewpoints of process management (or progress management), cost management, and quality management for software project to be successful: (a) drafting a software development plan based on accurate estimation, (b) early detection of risks that the project includes based on correct situation appraisal, (c) early avoidance of risks that the project includes. In this paper, the authors propose a method and facilities to project risks in a software project through Kepner-Tregoe program, and propose schedule re-planning by using genetic algorithm for avoiding the projected risks. Furthermore the authors show, from the results of execution of the system, that the system is effective in early avoidance of risks that the software project includes.

For the improvement of software quality and productivity, the author aims at realizing a software development environment to develop software through utilizing the merits of group work. Since networking is necessary for collaborative software development, he has developed a software distributed development environment for collaborative software development. In this environment, discussions about software design are held through a communication network, and the contents of discussions are recorded as software design decisions and decision rationale. One feature of this environment is that the contents of discussions can be recorded in on-line real time and reused without reconstructing the information recorded through this environment. This paper clarifies the essential conditions for actualizing this environment and proposes an information structure model for recording the contents of discussions that actualizes the above-mentioned feature. The effectiveness of the proposed model is proved through an example of its application to software design discussions.

Development of large-scale software is usually conducted through a project to unite a work force. In addition, no matter what kind of life cycle model is employed, a development plan is required for a software development project in order for the united work force to function effectively. For the project to be successful, it is also necessary to set management objectives based on this plan and confirm that they are achieved. This method is considered to be effective, but actually making a software development project and following the achievement of the management objectives at each step is not easy because predicting the necessary work amount and risks that the project involves is difficult in software development. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a system to support software project management so that the project manager can manage the entire project and the work load is reduced. This paper proposes a meta-model of work structure of software development projects for project management by using an object-oriented database with constraints as well as a framework for software project management systems based on this meta-model. Also proven, through an example of a system that analyzes repercussions on progress of a software development project, is that the meta-model and framework are effective in software project management.

Workers involved in software projects are unlike those working on a production line in a manufacturing field usually engaged in plural work (that is, not only main development work but also various other work), concurrently. Such other work might put pressure on the schedule of the whole project. Therefore, to manage the whole project, not only main development work but also various other work should be dealt with as management objects and workers' workload should be taken into consideration (that is, who is doing what work at what workload at what time). This paper proposes a framework for workload management facilities for managing software projects. This framework proposes to relate not only main development work but also various other work and each work step within cooperative work to the workers. This paper also shows the behavior of the facilities by using an example and shows its usefulness based on the application of a prototype system. Using this system, users can assign work to workers by simulating workers' workload. These facilities help managers grasp workers' workload as well as help workers grasp their assigned work.

The group organization used for group learning in a knowledge intensive domain like software development affects educational achievement. This paper proposes a group organization system for software engineering education done through group learning. The organizational problem itself is defined and why a Genetic Algorithm (GA) is an appropriate means of solving this problem is explained. This system is a Web application developed with open source software and runs on an open source software platform. Based on the group organization data collected from actual classes, we generated various group organizations by using different strategy parameter values. We then gave a questionnaire to actual students asking them which solution produced the fairest group organization. The replies received revealed that the candidate solution that set greater weight on leadership capability and system analysis capability was the fairest.

There are three viewpoints involved in software project management: process management, quality management and cost management. Software projects must be managed on the basis of these three viewpoints. However, in many cases process management, quality management and cost management systems are built separately as individual systems respectively. Construction of software project management systems which these three functions are integrated has been rare. Therefore, in order to construct a system integrating these functions, the authors clarify the significance of integration of application systems. And then the authors unveil the structure of a software project management system that process management system, quality management system and cost management system are integrated by using an object oriented database.